Grout! Putty! Glue! Cement! Heck, duct tape, if you will…whatever sort of crevice or gap filler you can imagine, IT and its developers are that and we do so to ensure PCI Compliance. The PCI, Payment Card Industry, is ever-changing with new standards to be upheld, it’s a wonder that most organizations can keep up! The majority of these tasks fall on the broad shoulders of the IT department and its developers—but what exactly do they do? Let’s start with those nerdy developers, shall we? They focus on safe coding practices to ensure that outside sources, or hackers cannot insert harmful material into their databases; mostly they keep the malicious internet surfers from hijacking their websites. Most importantly, these safe coding practices are implemented to ensure that a breach or loss of their database information does not occur. Next, IT’s main concentration is on systems and access control to ensure their physical world is safe and secure. They safeguard and secure the server room and call centers with biometric locks and require identifying name badges be worn by all personnel and visitors. IT is also responsible for the removal of generic passwords from all systems and to ensure these user accounts are replaced by secure usernames and passwords. They require password changes and enact idle time rules as well as administer Active Directory to ensure only authorized personnel can log on to the domain. Crossfire IT and developers for our PCI Compliant systems adhere to strict coding practices and security measures to ensure our information and our clients’ information is kept secure. The following is a list of points (albeit...

I love building things…call me Barbara the Builder, Tool Time Tina…whatever it is— I LOVE IT!!! Being a techie, coding makes my dream come true—well, not ALL of my dreams, but some of my really weird ones—I did not always plan on coding, not even close, but now that I am doing it…it is really fun and easy! The ever changing and evolving internet feeds my natural desire for learning, this stuff never gets old! The best part about my job is that I work with a few very talented and unique professionals, ok, NERDS who not only excel in their own positions, but whom constantly provide me with new perspectives on my own work. Our small but mighty nerd herd warriors is always busy building something. Whether it’s networks and workstations, data warehouses and list management systems, web design and branding, CRMs and shopping carts, we build it well and we support it fully. We have, therefore, created this forum, if you will, to share with you what we have learned and what we will learn in the future. You will, starting today, find the writings of our lead graphic and web designer, Sean vonWolffradt, the new guru of PhP and safe coding, Richard Miranda and myself, IT Director, Project Manager, and the best darn PHP developer this side of the Mississippi! We hope you take away some knowledge from our musings, but, more importantly we hope you get to know us. After all, this is a self-serving effort, because we know, that if you knew us, you would hire us…in a heartbeat. Enjoy! Michelle Portteus Director of...